Her arrival

Scene 4

(Loretta's voice comes in like a voice over. As she starts speaking, an overview of the state will be shown as they camera keeps going till it stops at Fredrick's house as Anna arrives).

Loretta: The meeting is set for 6:30 tonight, Freddy doesn't get home till then, I have informed him that you will be arriving by that time and he has informed his staff also, so they will be expecting you. My brother's beautiful mansion... more like its occupants are in need of a fix... (Chuckles). Don't worry, it's nothing hard, they just need the Anna touch, it will do the trick.

(The voice ends as Anna arrives at the gate, pays the cab man and comes down with a little travelling bag hung across her shoulders, dressed in a hooded cardigan, shorts and sandals with shades on, hands in pocket. She looks around for a bell but sees none. She removes one hand from her pocket, bringing out her phone and taps on it before she reaches for her ears and remove the ear pods. She knocks on the gate, Kunle shouts an I'm coming. She rests her hand on the gate, chewing her gum as she waits. Five seconds later, Kunle opens the gate).

Kunle: Yes, can I help you?

Anna: Yes, I'm Mr Williams 6:30. (Kunle looks at her from head to toe, then does it all over again).

Kunle: I don't think that Oga is expecting any of your people oh. He never go una office before not to even say make one of your people show for this palce.

Anna: Well I was informed that you guys were informed that I was coming, so you should be expecting me... I'm the nanny, not a prostitute.

Kunle: Oh... oh, nanny. You for start with that one. I remember now na, oga talk say you dey come. Sorry, come in. (Anna smiles and comes in, looking around as she walks to the main door). Ehm madam I no call you prostitute shey you know ba... (Smiles and rubs the back of his head and opens the door for her. She smiles back as she enters the house).

Anna: I know, I was the first person to mention the name people call my people. (she smiles back at him). So where is Mr Williams?

(Kunle is fidgeting and stammering as he looks up at Fredrick who has been on the stairs all the while).

Fredrick: He is here.(Anna turns around as he comes down and meets her). Evening Miss, please, let's talk in my study. Kunle tell everyone to come out.(Anna nods her head and waits for him as he gives Kunle one last glare before he leads Anna to his study. Kunle turns around and enters the kitchen with his hands on his head. The rest of the staff are talking when he comes in. Titi sees him first and stops eating).

Titi: Ah ahn Kun's what happen. Why hand dey for your head person die.

Kunle: Na me don die.

Chuks: The world don better be that.

Ene: Chuks keep quiet, Kunle what happen?

Kunle: You know that nanny oga been tell us about yesterday wey him say she go come today? (They all nod). Tor when she come I been call am ashawo and e be like say oga been hear.

Ene: Jesus!

Chuks: Chineke!

Titi: Oluwa oh!

Ene: Ku tang aba (Don't say it again)

Chuks: Baba your own don finish be that.

(Titi bursts out in laughter. Kunle looks at her).

Kunle: Why you dey laugh?

Titi: E good for you. Shey you no fit hold that your mouth. No fear jor, las las if oga sack you, you fit go another person house become gateman, you kuma get years of expericene. (Continues to laugh).

Kunle: Abeg make all of una comot go palour before another wahala go dey. And you continue to dey laugh, tomorrow go be your turn.

Titi: Back to sender. (Continues laughing as they leave the kitchen).

(Fredrick and Anna are shown seated in Fredrick's study as he interviews her).

Fredrick: Sorry about that, Kunle has a habit of letting things slip from his mouth without properly processing them upstairs.

Anna: I've been called worse.

Fredrick: (Smiles). Still, I apologise on his behalf. So down to business... Forgive me we've not yet been introduced, I'm Fredrick Williams.

Anna: Anna Edet.

Fredrick: Anna... I hear you are cook. (She nods). And Loretta tells me that you are the best person for this job and that you are very professional... (He draws the word professional as he looks at her dressing then she smiles broadly before she removes her shades). Very professional and that you are also principled... (Waits for her to say something but she keeps picking her nails). So as my sister as said, these kids, my kids are just too much of a trouble with skipping school and all... (she still says nothing). Bottom line is they are impossible to handle.

Anna: Nothing is impossible. We just have to find a way to address the situation.

Fredrick: And she speaks. Well thank you for that but when you hear what I have to tell you...

Anna: There is no need.

Fredrick: I think you would need to know everyone or at least something about everyone.

Anna: Don't worry sir, that can be sorted.

Fredrick: So where or when are we expecting the rest of your stuff. If it's a where I can have my driver pick them up for you and if it's the when I'll pay for delivery and other charges.

Anna: No worries sir, I have everything right here.

Fredrick:(He looks at her). Sorry right where?

Anna: Right here. (She taps the bag hung across her shoulder). I travel light.

Fredrick: You mean you have everything you need to stay here long term in that bag.

Anna: Yes that's what I mean. I have everything covered, from my travelling toothbrush, to my travelling sponge, my travelling soap... (Fredrick looks at her with shock). Yes, I have a very delicate skin... even down to my un...

Fredrick: I get your point, you have everything you need.

Anna: (She nods and smiles). I mean if I'm going to be earning more I deserve a wardrobe change.

Fredrick: (Looks at her clothes again). Yes you do... Okay so rules...

Anna: Sir in this business there are no rules.

Fredrick: Uh... I don't think I've heard that before, take it that that's from years of experience of being a nanny.

Anna: (laughs loud and Fredrick looks at her confusingly till she stops). Ah... No, no it's not. I've never been a nanny before.(Fredrick looks at her and she smiles brightly). Ever, never ever... I needed to sound like I know what I'm doing.

Fredrick: (Leans forward). And Lorry says you are the best, how is that?

Anna: I don't even know. She calls it the Anna touch, even I don't get it.

Fredrick: So you have no experience with children at all?

Anna: Do my neighbour's children count, or the ones on my street... I let them use my bathroom anytime.

Fredrick: (Looks at her and shakes his head then leans back into his chair). The Anna touch huh? How does it work?

Anna: (She touches him on his hand). I touch you and... (They wait quietly for something to happen for some seconds before she speaks up again). I think something is supposed to happen... we should probably give it time.

Fredrick: Yeah. (Smiles).

Anna: I did say I don't know how it works.

Fredrick: You did. (Still smiling). So why did you say there are no rules?

Anna: Because that's the rule. There's only one rule for handling kids, there are no rules. And also because I'm a crazy, free spirited person, I don't do well with rules, so what's the use of telling me the rules when I'm surely going to break them. (She flashes a big smile at him and he chuckles).

Fredrick: Okay no rules then... (Both of them remain quiet and the whole place becomes silent, the bursting bubbles of her gum the only sound. Seconds later he speaks up). Well I was prepared to answer all your questions but we didn't even get to anyone that I have answers for.

Anna: You can just ask me the questions you have answers too and then answer them... it will make you feel better.

Fredrick: (Laughs loud). I already feel better, I do. (They stay quiet for a while again).

Anna: So... when can I meet the family?

Fredrick: They are all waiting. Let's go. (They stand up to leave when she speaks up).

Anna: Wait I have a question.

Fredrick: (His face lights up). Shoot.

Anna: Can I be calling you sir Freddo or sir Freddy or sir Fred... no Freddo will do.

Fredrick: (Scoffs). Um... I think sir is fine and more preferable.

Anna: Freddo it is.

(Fredrick stands speechless. She smiles at him and leaves the room with Fredrick following behind while he smiles. They get to the living room and everyone is around).

Fredrick: Evening everyone. Well as earlier informed yesterday, this is Anna Edet, the nanny and the newest member of this house... And yes she will be staying. Anna this are my kids Jennifer, Isaac and Whitney. This is my sister in-law Tomike and her son Dayo. And these are my other staff. You've already met Kunle the gateman. That's Eneabasi the cook, Titi the cleaner and Chukwudi the driver. Please lets all make her feel welcome and help in making work easier for her. Titi get her sorted. You can all leave.

(They all leave to their rooms).

Titi: Hey, please follow me, I'll show you to your room.

Anna: Okay. (She is about to follow Titi but Fredrick stops her)

Fredrick: Do you need my help settling in?

Anna: Thank you but no Sir Freddo. (She turns around and follows Titi and Fredrick follows them as he continues talking).

Fredrick: Are you sure because these children can be mean and my in-laws... (She turns around and gives him a dry look and he stops talking). Good night.

Anna: Good night sir Freddo. (He turns around and leaves while Ene, Kunle, Titi and Chuks share looks as Titi leads Anna to her room. They get in and Titi turns the light switch on and Anna enters the room).

Titi: There is a towel in the bathroom if you want.

Anna: Yes I do. Thank you, I'll take care of the rest. (Titi leaves the room and as she closes the door Anna sighs. She looks on the bed and sees some clothes on the bed, she lifts them up and sees that it's a uniform. She laughs as she sees it and drops it back on the bed. She removes her bag from her shoulder, opens it and empties its contents on the bed. Only a tooth brush, bathing sponge and one set of clothes. She then falls flat on the bed. Titi gets to the living room to see the other staff looking at her direction).

Chuks: You see wetin happen just now.

Titi: She talk one time oga obey.

Ene: The thing fear me too.

Chuks: No be only you o. Today, today when she come, she never even spend one hour, she don dey familiarize herself with oga Fred.

Kunle: (Clasps his hands). E be like say things go start to dey sweet for this place. See how she con dey talk fresh like oga Fred and him pikins.

Chuks: See sweet voice. (Ene, Titi and Kunle look at him. Ene and Titi hiss while Kunle shakes his head in pity and they start going to their rooms). What? I talk bad thing... Kunle you too join dey shake head like say you no dey think am... Eh. You wey be man-shawo. (They all ignore him and close their doors and leave him talking to himself).

Scene closes.